About Us
Upstand is a social impact agency transforming how change happens by placing relationships at the center of what we do. We connect communities, institutions, and knowledge systems through inclusive research, relational methods, and shared dialogue. We create conditions where care and trust bridge differences and bring together diverse ways of knowing that can sustain transformation.
Our research and practice adopt cross- and interdisciplinary strategies, drive change, and are grounded in inclusive, context-sensitive practices. We invest time and effort in building relationships and trust because we believe that change happens when we begin to listen to our differences.
We collaborate with governments, profit and non-profit organizations, the public sector, community-based organizations and civil society — anyone dedicated to making positive and transformative contributions to society.
Our Vision
Evidence alone is not enough to transform policy. Contexts are made of competing interests and value systems. Policies need to be grounded and negotiated to stay meaningful to the social and institutional frameworks of the communities they serve.
We believe in the power of relationships to navigate today’s critical societal challenges. That is why we work alongside everyone, cultivating spaces where trust can grow and relationships can flourish. We trust opportunities can be created by finding ways to relate to one another through honest dialogue, generosity, and commitment to shared understanding.
We see relationships as regenerative spaces for responsible action and decision-making. We envision a future where we are all co-creators of change, moving away from a fragmented world toward connecting cultures and value systems.